Parade

Ask Marilyn: Contagious Yawning Explained

Tamara Ragus of Irving, Texas writes:

Marilyn: At what age do we humans begin to yawn when we see someone else yawn? Marilyn responds:

People who yawn contagiously (not everyone does) start when they’re babies, usually as they begin to recognize themselves in a mirror. This typically occurs sometime between 9 months and 2 years of age or so.

For a fun way to see if your little one is learning to realize that the image she sees in a mirror is her own, dab a bit of lipstick on her nose and watch her reaction when she looks at her reflection. Does she touch the colorful spot on her face or try to wipe it off her nose? If she does, she’s figuring it out!

Word Teaser: Grummet

(A) A sulky child (B) A U-shaped gasket (C) A cabin boy ?on a ship (D) An ancient stringed instrument played with the knuckles (E) A fellow who mutters grouchily ?to himself, especially in public